Biomes And Ecosystems Questions Medium
The role of primary consumers in an ecosystem is to obtain energy by consuming producers, such as plants or algae. They are herbivores that feed directly on these autotrophic organisms, converting the energy stored in plants into a form that can be used by other organisms. Primary consumers are an essential part of the food chain as they transfer energy from the lower trophic levels to higher trophic levels. They serve as a food source for secondary consumers, which are carnivores or omnivores that feed on them. By regulating the population of primary producers, primary consumers help maintain the balance and stability of the ecosystem.